Latest Poll Shows Support for CT COVID Response
Residents back emergency powers during pandemic
A new digital poll by Sacred Heart University’s Institute for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, completed between October 14 and October 27, 2021, asked 1,000 Connecticut residents questions about Governor Ned Lamont’s and the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, probed quality-of-life issues in the state and queried residents about their voting plans for the 2021 local elections. It also measured opinions on public attitudes toward legalization and usage of recreational marijuana, transgender policies in public schools and energy incentives for converting home heating systems to natural gas.
While the Governor’s approval ratings remain generally high, there was a dip in these metrics compared to the last SHU poll conducted in April 2021. Fewer Connecticut residents surveyed in October 2021 (50.5% from 55.7% in April 2021) approve of how Lamont is handling his job as governor. That reflects 30.2% approval among Republicans (13.8% unsure), 42.2% approval among independent voters (28.3% unsure), 44.4% approval among unaffiliated voters (25.9% unsure) and 75.7% approval among Democrats (15.9% unsure).
Regarding his performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly two-thirds of respondents approve of how Lamont is handling communication to the public (67.6%, from 71% in April 2021) and his overall response and handling of the COVID-19 crisis (66%, down from 69% in April 2021). Additionally, 52% approve of the way the Governor is addressing a plan for Connecticut residents and families (from 55.7% in April 2021), and 49.5% approve of how he is addressing a plan for businesses in the state (compared to 53.5% in April 2021).
Also on the COVID-19 front, support for mask and vaccine mandates in Connecticut remains high, with 67.7% of respondents supporting the Connecticut mandate that students wear masks while in school. Similarly, nearly three-fifths (58.6%) would support a requirement that K-12 students need to be vaccinated, and 63.8% support the requirement that State of Connecticut employees need to be vaccinated.
Regarding quality-of-life metrics, slightly more than two-thirds of state residents (68.7%) reported their quality of life in the state is either excellent (15%) or good (53.7%), a decrease from 73% in April. And fewer residents believe that the quality of life in Connecticut is improving (16.4%), compared to the rate in April 2021 (17.8%). Of note, respondents ages 18-34 reported their quality of life is improving (21%), which is the highest rate among all age segments. But on a negative note, 38.2% of respondents stated their mental health has declined due to COVID-19 (up from 30.8%).
Significant support for mail-in ballots and early voting
Roughly two-thirds of respondents, 65.2%, support mail-in voting in Connecticut. Of those supporters, 60.3% completely trust (31.3%) or trust (29.1%) the legitimacy of mail-in voting results. Additionally, 58% support a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2022 ballot that would allow the legislature to make laws allowing early voting in Connecticut. Among respondents, 89.7% of Democrats, compared to 38.7% of Republicans, support mail-in voting in Connecticut.
Here are other key poll findings:
- Roughly three-fifths of respondents, 58%, support the extension of Governor Lamont’s emergency powers due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 54% of respondents indicated that the recent legalization of recreational cannabis usage has had no change on their support for recreational usage; in fact, 70.7% indicated that their use of cannabis has stayed the same after legalization
- One-half of respondents, 50.2%, believe that school districts should develop policies to accommodate the needs of transgender youth, while a decreased number, 32.9%, think that schools should permit transgender athletes to play on the team associated with the gender they identify with
- Respondents were split on their support for energy-efficient natural gas heating incentives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions; while 31.8% believe the state should end incentives for energy-efficient natural gas heating, 37% believe these incentives should continue, and 31.2% were unsure
“Confidence in the Governor and in his handling of the pandemic remains high, though the mental toll among residents is increasing, according to those we polled in October and earlier in the year in April,” said Steven Michels, director of the Institute for Public Policy and Civic Engagement. “Residents indicate strong continued support for mask and vaccine mandates as necessary tools for fighting the pandemic, and the related extension of the Governor’s emergency powers. Poll respondents also demonstrated strong belief in the integrity of mail-in ballots and largely support early voting, which will be a referendum option in November 2022.”
Actual polling was conducted on behalf of the Institute in partnership with GreatBlue Research, which administered the 52-question, Connecticut-specific digital survey interviewing 1,000 residents. Statistically, this sampling represents a margin for error of +/-3.02 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Sacred Heart’s Institute for Public Policy and Civic Engagement was established in 2017 in the College of Arts & Sciences. In addition to hosting state-wide polls, the Institute conducts public policy research, hosts public forums and workshops and serves as a public-policy learning incubator for students.
More in-depth findings from this poll:
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Photo of Governor Ned Lamont by Timothy Koster (August 2020)